Hearing loss decisions — 2023

The Board has denied service connection for bilateral hearing loss and remanded the claims for tinnitus and right knee disability. The decision on tinnitus is pending as it requires clarification of whether the Veteran was in active duty training (ACDUTRA) or inactive duty training (INACDUTRA). The right knee disability claim is also pending due to a need for an addendum opinion addressing aggravation by service-connected left knee disability.

The Board has determined that additional VA medical opinions are needed for the Veteran's claims of service connection for left knee strain, bilateral hearing loss, tinnitus, and obstructive sleep apnea. The issues have been remanded to obtain these opinions.

The Board has denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for left ear hearing loss as there is no current disability meeting VA criteria.

The Veteran and his representative withdrew their appeal, leaving no issues for the Board to consider.

The Board has granted service connection for right ear hearing loss on a direct basis due to in-service acoustic trauma, resolving doubt in the Veteran's favor.

The Board has remanded the cases for further development and consideration due to insufficient evidence regarding the onset and nature of the Veteran's conditions.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that his preexisting condition did not worsen beyond its natural progression during service.

The Board has determined that new and material evidence has been received to reopen the Veteran's claims for service connection for various conditions, including right knee disability, left knee disability, bilateral hearing loss, lumbar spine disability, cervical spine disability, tinnitus, and major depressive disorder. The cases are now remanded for further development as specified.

The Board denied a compensable rating for the Veteran's service-connected bilateral hearing loss, finding that his current level of hearing impairment did not meet the criteria for a higher evaluation.

The Veteran's claims for higher ratings of his bilateral hearing loss disability remain in appellate status due to the increases granted by the RO. The Board has remanded these issues multiple times, but the Veteran is not entitled to a compensable rating for the period prior to January 3, 2022 and a rating in excess of 20 percent for the periods from January 3, 2022 to June 30, 2023 and since June 30, 2023.

The Board has denied an initial rating higher than 10 percent for tinnitus. The Veteran's claims for service connection of left ear hearing loss, degenerative disc disease of the lumbar spine with radiculopathy, and a cervical spine condition are remanded due to insufficient evidence.

The Veteran's tinnitus was granted service connection as it had onset during service with continuity of symptoms following service.,For his lumbosacral strain, right leg iliotibial band friction syndrome, vertigo, and right ear hearing loss claims, the Board finds remand is necessary to obtain additional medical opinions regarding their etiology.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus. The cases of bilateral hearing loss, chronic headaches, low back pain, lower left and right extremity radiculopathy, and a cervical spine disability are remanded due to the need for additional medical examinations and opinions.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, finding that the evidence supports a conclusion that the Veteran had normal hearing at service entry and slight hearing loss in service. The Board also found that this in-service hearing loss did not resolve after service.

The Board has granted service connection for tinnitus, but has remanded the issue of service connection for bilateral hearing loss due to lack of a sufficient nexus opinion.

The Veteran's appeal for service connection for bilateral hearing loss has been dismissed because the appellant requested to withdraw the appeal.

The Veteran's left ear hearing loss is granted as service connected. The issue of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder, to include depression, is remanded.

The request to reopen service connection for right ear hearing loss is denied.,Service connection for diabetes mellitus and PTSD are both denied.

The Veteran's application to reopen his right ear hearing loss disability claim was granted. His bilateral inguinal hernias and lumbosacral spine DDD claims were denied, as well as an increased rating for the latter condition prior to August 9, 2022. The earlier effective date of February 19, 2016 for his right lower extremity lumbar radiculopathy claim was granted.

The Board has granted service connection for bilateral hearing loss and tinnitus, finding that the Veteran's current conditions are related to his in-service noise exposure.